A Separate Central University for Jammu :

May Lead to Demands from other Regions

Map of Jammu & Kashmir

By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
e-mail amarjitdhillon15@msn.com
 A Separate Central University for Jammu :
May Lead to Demands from other Regions

A Continous Demand :

There was a continuous demand for a separate Central University for the Jammu
Region of J & K. But there was a difference of opinion as to whether there should be a
separate Central University or the present State University should be upgraded. On
February 5, 2009, the Jammu State Morcha (Progressive) had opposed the idea for
upgradation of Jammu University as a Central Varsity, and had demanded instead
the establishment of a separate Central University in Jammu region. Morcha
President Virender Gupta said some members of the teaching faculty at the Varsity,
who were "looking at their personal gains", were making the demand for upgradation
of the existing Varsity. Describing the demand for upgradation as myopic, he said
that if it was conceded it would deprive the State in general and Jammu province in
particular of another University. He said the demand for upgradation was totally
against the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Political parties had also been expressing their views over the issue and they
foresaw socio-economic development of the region with the establishment of a
separate Central Varsity
The Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) reasoned that the Varsity had
already established liaisons with several national and international institutions of
research and education and it will be better if it got the Central Status. NK Tripathi,
President of the JUTA, argued for granting the Central Status to Jammu University on
the basis of the “availability of infrastructure, qualified faculty, national and
international collaborations that help in the placement of students”. He cautiond that
if a separate varsity was established, Jammu University might turn into a fringe
university, and thus rendering waste investment made during the last 40 years.

President of Progressive Students Association Rahul echoes similar views and

says instead of setting up another institution, the existing varsity should be
consolidated. “Our varsity is facing space constraint as some of its area has been
encroached upon,” he maintained and asked the Army to evacuate varsity’s land that
it is allegedly occupying.

Expressing similar views, state secretary of the ABVP Suresh Magotra said, “The
central varsity status should be given to Jammu University. It requires extra space
for opening new departments for which the university areas that have been
encroached be vacated. If another varsity comes into existence, Jammu University
will lose its importance and sanctity.”

However, founder member of the Sangarsh Movement Vikrant Sharma argued

that Jammu University has no scope for expansion and consolidation due to land and
resource constraints. A new varsity was likely to create more job avenues in the
state where unemployment was a vexed problem. It would also ensure socio-
economic development of the area where it would be established, he opined.
 Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association President Vikas
Sharma argued that Jammu University had scarce resources and facilities at its
disposal and therefore could not grow. A new varsity would be in a position to offer
more courses, besides more students and researchers intake capacity, he said.

J & K CM Promised Two Cent. Univs,

With protests over the suspected move of the state government to shift the
central university to Srinagar growing by the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on
July 24, 2009, sought to please both Srinagar and Jammu divisions claiming he was
trying for two central universities for the state now.

The Chief Minister said here that the government had asked the Centre to sanction
two central universities, one each at Jammu and Srinagar. Though no other state has
got two central universities, Omar believed the diverse topography and the
sentiments of both divisions made it necessary.

“For the diverse topography and geographical vagaries, the state government has
urged the Centre to sanction two central universities to satisfy the requirements of
the two divisions in this regard,” he said while addressing public after inaugurating a
water treatment plant at Sitlee, near here, this evening.

The Chief Minister said the Union government had granted a central university and
an IIM to the state without identifying the locations.

“The matter has already be taken up with the Centre,” he said. Former Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad had also pleaded the same with the central leaders during his
tenure, he added.

Omar said the government was committed to doing justice to all areas and carrying
forward its agenda of equitable development with determination and zest.

Agitation:

On August 9, 2009– Central University Andolan Samiti(CUAS) had made it clear

that Jammu would remain bandh on August 10 in support of the demand of opening of
Central University in Jammu Region.
Senior member of the Central University Andolan Samiti and President Jammu Bar
Sunil Sethi told reporters in Jammu that Central University Andolan samiti had decided
to go ahead with its scheduled programme of organising Jammu Bandh on August 10 and
there would be no change in their stand till a proper notification was issued.He
said various organisations including trader organisations, socio, religious organisations
student bodies had extended unconditional support to the call of Jammu Bandh on August
10"We have issued a Jammu bandh call not to score any thing but to raise common voice
of the people of Jammu Region", he added.
It may be mentioned that after the Union Government announced that a Central
University would be established in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Government had
identified a place close to Samba. for the site of the Central University.But later, there
was a proposal to shift it to the Kashmir Valley, triggering a series of demonstrations here
by student groups
Meanwhile, continuing with its agitation different student bodies demanding opening
of Central University in Jammu Region held protest demonstrations and took out a long
march from their colleges. Students of women degree college wore black badges during
protest demonstration. Students of various Boys college, also took out protest marches
and shouted slogans against the state government.
To garner support in support of their campaign for the central university several student
groups had visited various areas of Jammu city to gather support in their favour. On the
other hand Panthers Party organized several protest demonstrations in Kathua and
Jammu. "We will not tolerate injustice over the issue of central university", leaders of the
Panthers party said.State BJP Unit had also extended its full support to the call for Jammu
Bandh over the issue of Central University.

On Aug 14, 2009, it was said that some residents of the winter capital of Jammu and
Kashmir would organise a function parallel to the government-held Independence Day
celebrations to press their demand for a CentralUuniversity in the Jammu Region. The
CUAS also urged people not to attend the official function at Parade ground.

The Demand Acceded but in place of IIM: :

( IIM gets traded for an additional central university in J & K )

Press Information Bureau

Government of India
Friday, September 25, 2009

J&K TO HAVE TWO CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES

In view of the special status of State of Jammu and Kashmir, which has separate regions
with distinct geographical, social, cultural and ethnic characteristics, the Central Government has
decided to establish, as a special dispensation, two appropriate Central Universities in the State –
one in Jammu region and another in the Kashmir Valley. It is expected that this will meet the
regional aspirations in the State. The Government proposes to undertake appropriate legislative
measures in this regard shortly.

The two Central Universities will have instructional and research facilities in emerging
branches of learning like information technology, biotechnology, nanosciences, etc., setting
exemplary standards of education for the other universities in the State to emulate.

However, in view of the constraints of resources and greater demand for a second Central
University in Jammu and Kashmir State, it has been decided to drop the proposal for the
establishment of an Indian Institute of Management in Jammu and Kashmir and instead use the
savings for the establishment of a second appropriate Central University in the State of Jammu
and Kashmir.

In view of the constraints of resources and greater demand for a second Central University
in Jammu and Kashmir State, it has been decided to drop the proposal for the establishment of
an Indian Institute of Management in Jammu and Kashmir and instead use the savings for the
establishment of a second appropriate Central University in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
 On Sept. 26, 2009, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said that the Second Central
University to be set up in Jammu and Kashmir wuold be in lieu of the IIM that
was promised to the State.
Sibal made it clear that there was no question of agreeing to similar demands from other
States. Asked specifically about the demand for a separate central university in the
Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand, Sibal said, "We will not entertain such a demand."
"J&K has got another university because of its special status and its distinct geographical,
social, cultural and ethnic characteristics," he said. However, Sibal clarified, "there will
be no IIM in Jammu and Kashmir. Given the constraint of resource, the money for IIM
will be diverted for the purpose of the second central university."
The two central universities will have instructional and research facilities in
emerging branches of learning like information technology, biotechnology and
nanosciences.
Sources said the pressure for a second central university came from the state
government. Chief minister Omar Abdullah had met the PM, UPA chairperson Sonia
Gandhi and Sibal along with State MPs and a group of ministers. The Union government
had earlier announced 15 central universities, including one in Srinagar, would be set up in
various states.
"After watching the initial agitation in the Jammu region for another central university
it was felt that it had the potential of becoming an Amarnath-type agitation. It could have
allowed BJP to gain ground. So the decision (to have a second central university in J&K)
was taken at the highest level," a source said.

The Agitation Withdrwn:

Hailing the Centre's decision to set up two Central universities in Jammu and Kashmir, the
organisation, spearheading the agitation for a varsity in Jammu province, called off the stir on
Sept.27,2009. , .

"The Central University Andolan Samiti (CUAS) welcomes the announcement by HRD
Ministry to establish a separate CU in Jammu but would urge the ministry to take necessary steps
to implement the decision at the earliest," CUAS convenor Pavitar Singh said here.
He said that the CUAS has decided to suspend its agitation and asked the students of
educational institutions not to boycott classes.

Ordinance Route Decided:

On Oct.19, 2009, decks were cleared for second Central university in J&K as the
Centre paved the way for the establishment of a Second Central University in Jammu
and Kashmir, with the Union Cabinet approving the Ordinance to this effect, for
promulgation by the President of India.

An ordinance is sought to be promulgated to avoid further loss of time before

the commencement of the academic session. Eleven of the 15 sanctioned central
universities have already started running their classes from this year. The move —
seen as a major boost for the Omar Abdullah-led coalition in the state — came in
less than a month of the government deciding to have, as a special dispensation, two
central universities for the troubled state. The UPA obviously wanted to send out the
right message through its “special treatment” to the Valley besides preempting
agitations on this front.

Making the announcement on September 25 that the government’s decision to

allow two universities in J&K “was expected to meet regional aspirations and
maintain harmony in the state”, Sibal had said appropriate legislative measures
(read the ordinance) would be taken to implement the decision.

The ordinance, which came up for preliminary discussions in the cabinet

meeting , was sent to the President for promulgation. Once the President gave her
nod to it, decks would be cleared for establishing a second Central University, which
sacrificed its IIM campus for a University.

The Ordinance:

MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE

(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 20th October, 2009/Asvina 28, 1931 (Saka )
THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES (AMENDMENT)
ORDINANCE, 2009No. 8 OF 2009
Promulgated by the President in the Sixtieth Year of the Republic of India.

An Ordinance to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009.

WHEREAS Parliament is not in session and the President is satisfied that
circumstances exist which render it necessary for her to take immediate action;
E, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 123
of the Constitution, the President is pleased to promulgate the following Ordinance:—

1. (1) This Ordinance may be called the the Central Universities (Amendment)Ordinance, 2009.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
2. After section 3 of the Central Universities Act, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as
the principal Act), the following section shall be inserted, namely:—

“3A. (1) The Central University of Jammu and Kashmir established under
sub-section (4) of section 3 shall be known as the Central University of Kashmir, and
its territorial Jurisdiction shall be limited to the Kashmir Division of the State of Jammu
and Kashmir.
(2) There shall be established a University, which shall be a body corporate,
to be known as the Central University of Jammu having its territorial jurisdiction
extending to the Jammu Division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(3) All assets and liabilities of the Central University of Jammu and Kashmir
in respect of the territory of Jammu Division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall
stand transferred to be the assets and liabilities of the Central University of Jammu.
(4) Anything done or any action taken by the University of Jammu and
Kashmir in respect of the territory of Jammu Division of the State of Jammu and
Kashmir shall be deemed to have been done or taken by the Central University of
Jammu.
(5) Any suit or legal proceedings instituted or continued by or against the
Central University of Jammu and Kashmir in respect of the territory of Jammu Division
of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be deemed to be instituted or continued by
or against of the Central University of Jammu.”
.
3. In the First Schedule to the principal Act, for serial number 5 and the
corresponding entries against it, the following serial numbers and entries and shall be
substituted, namely:—
 Short title and commencement.
Insertion of section 3A. Special provision withrespect to theState ofJammu andKashmir.
25 of 2009. Amendment of the First Schedule to the principal Act.
Serial Name of Name of the Territorial
No. the State University Jurisdiction
“5. Jammu and Central Kashmir
Kashmir University of Division of the
Kashmir State of Jammu and Kashmir
5A. Jammu and Central Jammu
Kashmir University of Division of the Jammu State of Jammu and Kashmir.”.

The Central University of Jammu and Kashmir established under the Central
Universities Act, 2009 has now been replaced by the Central University of Kashmir with its
jurisdiction over the whole of Kashmir division.

This was done under the Central Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2009 number 8 of
2009 dated October 20, 2009 and another Central University has been established in Jammu
Division. This Ordinance said the Central University of Jammu and Kashmir, established under
sub-section (4) of section 3, shall be known as the Central University of Kashmir and its
territorial jurisdiction shall be limited to the Kashmir division.

There shall be establishment of a University, which shall be a body corporate, to be known as

the Central University of Jammu having its territorial jurisdiction extending to the Jammu
Division of the state.

The Bill Introduced :

Bowing to the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir regions, the government actually
sought to bifurcate the State's Central University to have Two Separate Universities to cater to
both the regions. Introducing a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009,
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal this was being done "in view of the upsurge of sentiments for its
location in Kashmir valley and equally pressing demand for establishment of a Central University
in Jammu region also.

" The Central University at present has a temporary office in Srinagar. Passing of this bill by
Paliament will replace the Central Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2009, promulgated by
President Pratibha Patil on October 20 this year due to the urgency of the matter and because
Parliament was not in session then.

As per the statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, it was "felt necessary to establish two
separate Central Universities, one each in Jammu region and in the Kashmir Valley, for
maintaining regional harmony in the state." Accordingly, it was decided to rename the the Central
University of Jammu and Kashmir as Central University of Kashmir and to establish a new
Central University by the name of Central University of Jammu by appropriate amendments to
the Central Universities Act, 2009.

The Central University of Kashmir would have territorial jurisdiction over the KashmirDivision
of the state, while the Central University of Jammu would cover the Jammu Division.
 The Passage of The Bill :

LOK SABHA
LIST OF BUSINESS
Monday, November 30, 2009 / Agrahayana 9, 1931 (Saka)

At No.11. SHRI KAPIL SIBAL to move that the Bill to amend the
Central Universities Act, 2009, be taken into consideration.
ALSO to move that the Bill be passed

The Bill Moved :

On Nov. 30, 2009, the Union Human Resource Minister Kapil Sible moved for
Consideration and passing in Lok Sabha a Bill to amend Central Universities Act, 2009
to bifurcate Central University to be set up in Jammu and Kashmir to cater to both
Jammu and Kashmir Regions of the State..

Clash over J&K Varities in Lok Sabha:

The discussion on the Bill to amend the Central Universities Act, giving Jammu and
Kashmir two central varsities, gave rise to a peculiar clash in the Lok Sabha between Congress MP
Lal Singh and BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur which turned into a confrontation between the hills’
states of J&K and Himachal Pradesh.

The issue led to heated exchanges between Congress and BJP MPs after Udhampur Congress
MP Lal Singh charged that saffron party leaders were responsible for dividing Jammu and
Kashmir and justified the centre’s decision to set up two Central Universities in the state.
“Jammu-Kashmir me aag lagane wale inke party ke log hai. Hurriyat aur BJP ne hamare state ka
bedagarq kar diya (His party leaders are responsible for setting Jammu-Kashmir on fire. Hurriyat
and BJP have ruined our state),” Singh charged pointing towards Thakur, BJP MP from
Hamirpur.

Singh took offence that Thakur in his speech mentioned that the people of Himachal
were not getting two universities because they were peace loving and not resorting to
violent protests like their counterparts in J&K. Thakur had demanded that Himachal too
should get two universities and feared that making an exception for J&K would
encourage regionalism.

“What does he mean by mentioning that the people of Himachal are peace loving? He
is talking about sacrifices. People of Jammu & Kashmir have made more sacrifices than
Himachal—from freedom struggle to Kargil.” Singh retorted. At this, BJP members said
Singh was unnecessarily making an issue out of it and urged the Chair to control him.

However, despite Francisco Sardina, who was in the Chair, directing him to speak on
the issue, Singh took jibes at the BJP. He even took the name of BJP leader Murli
Manohar Joshi and accused him of igniting passions in J&K.
 Later, however, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain welcomed the step to give two central
universities to J&K, underlining that the BJP had demanded that Jammu should get a separate
one.

Replying after the discussion, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal urged Thakur not to view the issue as
regionalism and justified the move underling that it was to ensure peace and unity of the troubled
state.

Supporting the Bill, introduced in the House , Lal Singh (Cong) thanked the UPA government
for meeting the aspirations of the youth of both Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Rewati Raman Singh (SP) said the Government should set up new central universities in
bigger states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and backward states like Bihar and Orissa.

Jagdish Sharma (JD-U) said universities in Naxal-affected areas will help wean away youth
from violence and demanded a special scale for teachers across the country to attract good
people in the education sector.
Replying on the debate, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal
clarified that there was no proposal before the government for setting up of any new
central university.

''However, as and when, the proposals will come the HRD Ministry will look into
it,'' he said while thanking the House for the 'near unanimity' expressed over his
proposal.

On the question of setting up of a central university at Nalanda, he said this

specific issue would be handled by the External Affairs Ministry ''and they are
working on it''.

Earlier, calling upon members to rise above politics to usher in a new era of
educational excellence in the country, the HRD Minister said he envisions India as a
hub from where solutions to world's problems would emanate.

The Bill Passed by Lok Sabha :

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2009 was passed unanimously in the Lok
Sabha by a voice vote on Dec.1, 2009 paving the way for setting up one Central
University in Jammu and another in Kashmir.

Rajya Sabha

Parliamentary Bulletin Part-II

Friday, December 04, 2009

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2009 (As passed by Lok

Sabha)
 (Letter No.F. 42-28/2009-Desk (U) dated 4th December, 2009 from Shri Kapil Sibal,
Minister of Human Resource Development to the Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha)

“The President, having been informed of the subject matter of the Central Universities
(Amendment) Bill, 2009, recommends to the Rajya Sabha the consideration of the Bill under
article 117(3) of the Constitution of India”.

RAJYA SABHA
LIST OF BUSINESS
Monday, December 7, 200

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
Bill for consideration and passing
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL to move that the Bill to amend the Central
Universities Act, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.
ALSO to move that the Bill be passed.

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2009 moved in Rajya Sabha

On Dec, 7, 2009, The Bill, aimed at removing regional imbalances in the Universities by
converting the State Universities into Central Universities was moved in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha passed The Bill same day:

Catering to the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir Regions, the Bill was passed
unanimously in the Rajya Sabha on Dec,7, 2009, while Lok Sabha had already approved
it on Dec.1, 2009.
Replying to the debate, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said that Jammu and Kashmir has
some peculiarity for which the Centre decided to have two universities in the state -- one
each in both regions.
"We have already decided to set up one Central University in each region to remove
regional imbalance," he said.
During the debate some members alleged that there was political motive behind
setting up of two universities and said it would lead to demand for such institutions in
regions like Vidarbha and Telengana.
Kishore Mohanty (BJD) even demanded a Central University for Western Orissa,
where some organisations are demanding a separate state for the backward region.
Earlier this year (i.e. Feb.25), Parliament had passed Central Universities Bill for
setting up 15 Central Universities in the country, including one in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the Central University of Jammu and Kashmir ran into trouble in June as
different groups from both Kashmir and Jammu regions fought over location of the
institute. The government then decided to set up one more Central University in the state
as a special case.
Sibal said setting up Central universities was part of the UPA government's plan to
exponentially expand the higher education system.
 The Bill proposed renaming the Central University of Jammu and
Kashmir as Central University of Kashmir and to establish a New
Central University of Jammu by appropriate amendments to the
Central Universities Act, 2009.
Passing of this bill by Parliament replaced the Central Universities
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2009, promulgated on October 20, 2009.

Demands have cropped up:

On Dec.4, 2009, Dr. Sanjib Kumar Karmee had written a letter to Kapil Sible for A
Second Central University to be located in Western Odisha. It is reproduced below:-
To
Mr. Sibal, Honorable Minister of Human Resource Development
CC Honorable Speaker, Lok Sabha;
Mr. Naveen Patnaik, President of BJD and Honorable Chief Minister of Odisha;
The Honroable MPs from Odisha

Dear Honorable Mr. Sibal,

In the past few years your govt. is allocating many centrally funded institutes to Odisha. I
appreciate your effort for transforming Odisha to a developed state.
However, the state govt. is continued to be capital centric by putting most of the central govt.
institutes in the capital region.
Recently, BJD MP Prof. Dr. Prasanna Patasani has demanded another central University in
Odisha. (Dharitri, Dec 4, 2009). http://wp.me/pFC4h-ec
He also, mentioned that it should be established in the state capital.
Sir,
This is a clear reflection of BBSR-centric approach. The Odisha state govt. has completely
failed in distributing the central govt. institute across the state equally. We want all corner of
Odisha state to develop equally.
So far, the Western Odisha region doses not have a single centrally funded Institute. Odisha
state govt. must take steps to allocate adequate numbers of centrally funded institutes in
Western Odisha. Everybody knows Odisha is an undeveloped state. Only equal development of
human resource can bring change in the state.
Therefore, the second central University should be established in Kalahandi-Balangir area of
western Odisha.
Please look in to this matter and do the needful.
Thanking you with best regards,

Sanjib
 )

Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr.)

Brief-Biodata

Place of Birth : Village Ghudda, Dist. Bathinda(Pb.)

(Now a seat of Central University of Punjab)
Recorded Date of Birth : 15 December, 1935
(A) Education
1. Education upto B.A. Balbir High School &
Birjindra College, Farid Kot
2. M.A. (Pol.Sc.) Mohindra College, Patiala (1958)
3. M.A. (History) Mohindra College, Patiala (1960)
4. M.A. (Pub.Admn.) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1964)
5. Gyani(Hons.in Punjabi) Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1953)
6. Ph.D. (Pub.Admn.) Pbi.Univ. Patiala (1987)
(B) Academic Work
1. Lecturer Guru Nanak College,
Guru Tegbahadur Garh (1960-61)
2. Lecturer Khalsa College, Patiala (1961-71)
3. Principal Khalsa College,Patiala (1971-74)
4. Director Pbi.Development Punjabi University, Patiala( 1974-93)
5. Dean of Colleges Punjabi University,Patiala (1993-97)